Georgia: “Russia’s military drills pose significant regional threat”

Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze says Georgia has been keeping a close eye on Russia’s military exercises. Photo by www.japantimes.co.jp.
Agenda.ge, 26 Aug 2016 - 18:38, Tbilisi,Georgia

Georgia is condemning the mass military drills initiated by Russia in the north Caucasus, in Crimea, in military bases in Armenia and in Georgia’s occupied regions and say the exercises are provocative and a "threat that has the potential to destabilize the region”.

Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke out after Russia initiated military drills in the region. 

Georgia has been keeping a close eye on every Russian military exercise in the region,” said Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze.

More than 11,000 personnel are taking part in the Russian-initiated military maneuvers in 18 'polygons', located in the north Caucasus, Crimea, as well as military bases in Armenia and in Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions. 

We have witnessed some unplanned drills. We view them as a direct threat and a destabilising factor for the region,” said Janelidze.
We keep informing our partners of the developments in detail, in order to consider all possible scenarios and ensure that the international community is duly informed about the impending threat,” he added. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered snap military drills Thursday to "test the combat-readiness of troops on the country’s western flank”.